A few signs of spring and the spring to do list

 

These are my plum trees.  They are the first of my orchard to flower.  They are young trees planted several years ago.  Two years ago I had a handful of very small plums form on the the tree in the foreground.  Last year the tree in the rear had a couple of plums and the tree in the front had about a dozen but this is the first year that they have had blossoms like this.  I am excited to see what happens this year.  

My small orchard has two apples, these two plums and two pears.  After hearing about some success in our neighborhood with peaches which I thought were questionable for our zone I am considering adding  a couple of peach trees.  I have been trying to add some fruit each year.  Last fall I was gifted with some strawberry plants from a bed that was being dug up so I am hoping that they had enough time to get established before winter.  The year before I planted some fruit bushes, two elderberries, a gooseberry and four sand cherries.  The rabbits have been hard on the sand cherries but the elderberries and gooseberry are starting to leaf out.  The year before that I planted some cranberries and transplanted my blueberries trying to get a soil that is acidic enough for them to grow but it has been a struggle and I am not sure if they will make it.   

My asparagus is starting to come.  Last year was the first year that we were really able to pick much of it.  I have been adding new plants each year and have some seedlings started for another row this year. 

Spring brings lots of projects all wanting my attention at the same time.  I am rearranging the greenhouse.  In the winter I have the tables away from the glazing but in the spring when I am growing seedlings that will transplant into the summer garden I can set up extra tables closer to the glazing to make room for more plants.  

A while back I was soaking, scrubbing and sanitizing my seed trays and planting seeds.  Now those seedlings are being transplanted into bigger containers and since I reuse my containers those containers are now being soaked, scrubbed and sanitized.  I have a soaking tub, a sanitizing tub and two potting soil tubs taking over my kitchen.  I am still seeding.  I am making multiple trips from the house to the greenhouse hauling pots back and forth.  It's great. 

I am prepping the garden space and have planted a few things.  I put a few rows of sweet corn in, I am hoping that it isn't too early.  I have planted a few leftover potatoes.  I am not sure if they are going to work but I have room so it is worth a try.  

I moved the pea trellis and planted a row of peas.  All of that happened during a week of warm weather.  Now we are having windy, cold, wet weather so right now work on the garden outside is on hold. 

I am also working on some projects not related to the garden.  Two years ago when my sister's daughter was graduating I helped out by making some cupcake wrappers and some paper 'scatter' to add to the center of the tables.  Now that her son is graduating this year I am doing something similar.  Where her theme was girly--flower vases and candles dominated--his theme is camo and blaze orange.  He is a hunter and fisherman as well as an athlete but his tables will focus on the outdoors rather than the sports.   

I blogged about Kaylee's party and shared pictures here.

This is what I am working on for Chase's party.  He will have cupcake wrappers and his name and year, just like his sister, but also he will have small picks with deer mounts sticking up out of bite size sweets and hunting and fishing themed table scatter.